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Researchers are leading a new multi-center clinical trial to evaluate a unique surgical method, known as targeted muscle reinnervation, to treat chronic pain that can result from limb amputation. Amputees develop chronic pain in the remaining portion of their amputated limb, which can include phantom limb syndrome, and prevents many patients from using prostheses.

Republican lawmakers eager to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul are touting tax credits and greater leeway for states and health insurers. Enacted in 2010, the Affordable Care Act is a growing political liability for Republicans as an estimated 19 million Americans will receive coverage as a result of the law, including many in GOP-dominated states.

The development of a flexible, microscopic hand-like gripper could help doctors perform remotely-guided surgical procedures, perform biopsies or create biodegradable, miniaturized surgical tools that could safely dissolve in the body.

Research shows that cryoablation can be an effective treatment alternative for multiple cancer types. By itself, the technique can destroy tumors from the inside out. When combined with a pair of recently approved drugs, cryoablation can help stimulate the body's own immune response to seek out and destroy remaining cancer cells and prevent tumor regrowth.

The authors suggest that a surgical outcomes reporting system does not provide a clear mechanism for quality improvement. The inability of these outcomes monitoring systems to produce measurable improvements may be related to difficulties in identifying mechanisms that translate changes in how surgical care is provided.

President Obama spoke from the White House Roosevelt Room, surrounded at a conference table by 10 Americans from across the country who wrote him letters about how they benefited from the Affordable Care Act.

This time it's not just the White House and Democrats who have reason to be anxious. Republican lawmakers and governors won't escape the political fallout if the court invalidates insurance subsidies worth billions of dollars to people in more than 30 states.

The Bone Tether Plate features a 3-D printed, medical grade titanium alloy for greater customization. The plate serves as the primary component in the FastForward Bunion Correction System, a new approach to surgically correct hallux valgus deformities.

February 3, 2015 12:23 pm |
by Penn State College of Medicine |
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With the internet and social media becoming woven into the modern medical practice, Penn State College of Medicine researchers contend that professional medical societies must update or amend their Internet guidelines to address when it is ethical to "Google" a patient.

The study showed slight overall improvements in all hospitals over a three-year period, but there were no significant differences in mortality rates, serious complications, re-operations or readmissions between hospitals that were involved in quality programs and those that were not.

When examining early (within seven days of discharge) and late (more than seven days after discharge) unplanned readmissions, the top three reasons for readmission were SSI, ileus or obstruction, and bleeding.

New research has found that simple distraction techniques, such as talking to a nurse, watching a DVD or using stress balls, can help patients to relax during varicose vein surgery and reduce their pain.

In response to the recent outbreak, the President says measles outbreaks are preventable. He says he understands that some families are concerned about vaccinations, but the science on them is "pretty indisputable."

The chances for repealing the 2.3 percent tax on medical devices are better than ever. Yet abolishing the tax won't be easy, even though Republicans rank it a top priority and are backed by Democrats from states that rely on the industry for jobs.

Waiting times in hospital emergency departments could be cut with the introduction of Lean Management and Six Sigma techniques. Lean Management involves never-ending efforts to eliminate or reduce 'waste' while Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven method for eliminating defects.